Poland welcomes first Ukrainian refugees

Cash shortages in Krakow as Poles rush to stock up on currency

A Polish police officer serves soup to a Ukrainian man in the main railway station of Przemysl which has been turned into a temporary reception centre for refugees. AFP

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Poland is braced for the fallout from Russia’s military action in neighbouring Ukraine, as troops from Nato member states arrive to bolster the military alliance on its eastern flank bordering Ukraine.

In Krakow, a large Polish city about a three-hour drive from the Ukrainian border, money changers reported shortages of euros as locals stocked up. Poland, though an EU member, uses the Polish zloty and not the euro.

Multiple money changers blamed the impact of the Ukraine crisis, with one saying the shortages had started on Thursday.

Some Polish residents queued to withdraw cash from banks as concerns grew over the conflict. Poland’s central bank was forced to issue a statement insisting that the country has sufficient reserves despite some cash machines running out of zlotys.

“Due to the increased scale of transactions, in some locations there may be delays in the delivery of cash to ATMs from logistic centres of commercial banks and cash-handling companies,” the National Bank of Poland said.

A solemn welcoming ceremony of US soldiers at Adazi military base, Latvia, on February 25, 2022. More than 300 soldiers of the 173rd Air Force Brigade arrived to demonstrate the US commitment to defend Nato allies and strengthen Latvia's defence capabilities following Russia's military operation in Ukraine. EPA

US paratroopers in Ukraine's western Lviv region during a Nato-sponsored training exercise in 2020. AP

A US military aircraft takes off at the US Air Base Ramstein, in Landstuhl, Germany, on February 25. US President Joe Biden February 24 authorised the deployment of further armed forces to Germany as part of Nato's response to Russia's military aggression on Ukraine. EPA

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on February 25. EPA

A convoy of British armoured vehicles of the Royal Welsh Battlegroup on the way to Estonia, driving through Liepupe, Latvia, on February 25. British troops and equipment are heading to Estonia as part of the UK's contribution to strengthen Nato's uplift to Eastern Europe. EPA

Protesters outside a Nato leaders virtual summit in Brussels on February 25. AP

A US Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender aircraft over Poland on February 24. US Air Force/Reuters

US military personnel check an Apache attack helicopter AH-64 during a technical stop on the tarmac at Traian Vuia International Airport in Timisoara, Romania, on February 24. EPA

German soldiers of the Nato enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania attend a ceremony during a visit of German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht to Rukla Military Base, Lithuania, on February 22. EPA

About 5,000 soldiers from the US have arrived in south-eastern Poland to reinforce the border and assist the tens of thousands of arriving Ukrainian refugees.

Poland has closed its airspace to Russian flights following its advance into Ukraine.

Ukrainians have poured into Poland, enduring wait times of up to 12 hours to cross the border.

Poland has set up reception centres for those arriving and as Ukrainians arrived on foot, by car and by train, they were greeted by Polish authorities and volunteers offering food and hot drinks.

There has been an easing of usual border procedures including Covid-19 testing requirements.

Despite the currency shortages and occasional comment on the Ukraine crisis, life went on as normal in Krakow on an overcast Friday. British tourists were still arriving and visiting the city.

George, 70, a long-time resident of Krakow, compared the conflict in Ukraine to fighting between brothers, or the Slavic people.

But he also criticised what he saw as the US’ wider negative impact on the globe, citing the conflict in Afghanistan — to which Nato member Poland contributed troops — and the break-up of Yugoslavia three decades ago.

Referring to the previous conflicts that have wrecked Europe over the decades, he said: “We must learn the lessons of history.”